Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Zaka Ashraf believes that there are elements who don’t want to see the revival of international cricket in Pakistan and neither do they want the Super League Twenty20 tournament to be held on time.
talking to a private TV channel Ashraf said that “I am aware there is a conspiracy to keep Pakistan isolated in the cricket world. But we have not given up hope and we are confident we can organize the Super League T20 and also this will lead to revival of international cricket in Pakistan.” Without elaborating upon or naming those who want to keep Pakistan cricket isolated internationally, Ashraf said arrangements for the Super League were continuing at full steam. He said that “I know there are people who are pessimists and who don’t believe that the PSL can be held nor do they see the revival of international cricket in our country. But the PCB has not given up hope and is neither dejected”. The PCB chief admitted that at present Pakistan cricket was going through difficult times, adding “obviously when you take into account that no test team has played in Pakistan since 2009 and teams are reluctant to come here it is a tough situation for us. Because we believe apart from perceptions international cricket can be held in Pakistan safely”.
There have been reports in the Pakistani media about the PCB having the option of holding most of the Super League matches in the UAE and only hosting the knockouts in Pakistan if reputed international players are not given NOC`s by their respective boards for the PSL. The managing director of the PSL, Salman Butt last week in an official statement said that they had succeeded in signing around 50 overseas players who would now need to get NOC`s from their respective boards to play in the PSL.
Sources aware of developments in the board also said that the chairman was personally disappointed at not getting support and help from Bangladesh and India to revive international cricket in Pakistan.